Paul Wheelock column: Dunn deserves new Blackburn Rovers contract

IF you were going on sentiment alone, there is no doubt David Dunn would be handed a new contract.

But the question Gary Bowyer must ask when deciding whether to offer the Blackburn Rovers legend fresh terms is does he still have a role to play in the – mainly young – squad is he building?

For me the answer is a definite yes.

Dunn has blessed us with two of the best goals we have seen this season – his wonderful solo strikes against Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool at home.

The way he slalomed across the edge of the box to set up Craig Conway to score at Watford, too, was further evidence of a great football brain that continues to tick over.

But while he sits third in Rovers’ goals and assists rankings, with four and six respectively, the veteran midfielder’s importance goes beyond that.

That is shown by the fact that of the 23 Championship games he has featured in the current campaign, Bowyer’s side have taken 38 points.

In the 21 matches he has not appeared, they have taken 26.

Rovers have won six and drawn six of the 14 games he has started and while he has not been quite as influential when coming off the bench – he has contributed to four wins and two draws in nine substitute appearances – you saw the benefit of having a player of his calibre to call on in Friday’s frustrating stalemate with Yeovil.

It was only when Dunn was thrown into the fray that flat and anxious Rovers began to threaten to score the goal that truly would have put them in with a chance of making the play-offs.

With Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes growing into a potent strike partnership, and Tom Cairney almost certainly set to be moved inside once Ben Marshall returns from injury to provide competition for Josh King and the outstanding Conway on the flanks, Dunn may find opportunities to start harder to come by next season.

But that should not dissuade Bowyer from extending the former England international’s stay at Ewood Park by a further 12 months.

To see Dunn turning out for anyone but Rovers in the twilight of his career would be tough to take.

When fit, he is a player who remains massively important, nearly 16 years after he first pulled on the blue and white halved Rovers shirt.

Dunn will offer nothing next season after a summer of binge eating safe in the knowledge that Bowyer has rewarded him with yet another contract extension. Possibly the most overrated player to dis(grace) the Championship in recent years, too unfit to manage 90 minutes, picks his games, only chooses to play when his contract is running down, sh!t out of the game at Turf Moor when his team needed him the most, and brings shame on himself by backing the clueless owners who pay his wages.

Dunn will offer nothing next season after a summer of binge eating safe in the knowledge that Bowyer has rewarded him with yet another contract extension. Possibly the most overrated player to dis(grace) the Championship in recent years, too unfit to manage 90 minutes, picks his games, only chooses to play when his contract is running down, sh!t out of the game at Turf Moor when his team needed him the most, and brings shame on himself by backing the clueless owners who pay his wages.Super_Clarets

Could Dunn not be persuaded to take his coaching badges ? There could well be a role for him at the club in that area, particularly with the young players.As for the remarks by Super Clarets - They are at best very rude and unnecessary and at worst disgraceful and hurtful to a player who given the major part of his footballing life to Blackburn Rovers, yes, he has made mistakes, but since returning to Blackburn from his short stay with Birmingham, blue and white blood has flowed through his veins. I think, he could well prove to be an asset to the back room staff. One last point - Could some people be better mannered and constructive when commenting?

Could Dunn not be persuaded to take his coaching badges ? There could well be a role for him at the club in that area, particularly with the young players.As for the remarks by Super Clarets - They are at best very rude and unnecessary and at worst disgraceful and hurtful to a player who given the major part of his footballing life to Blackburn Rovers, yes, he has made mistakes, but since returning to Blackburn from his short stay with Birmingham, blue and white blood has flowed through his veins. I think, he could well prove to be an asset to the back room staff. One last point - Could some people be better mannered and constructive when commenting?Blackbunian

Given his talent when fit, and that is a big when, any deal should be on a pay as you play basis. He has been a tremendous servant to the club but we cannot afford to be paying wages to a player who cannot last more than 70 minutes and even then spends a significant part of the season in the treatment room. Dunny isn't old for a footballer but his physical demise was predicted by Souness when he told Dunn to curb his lifestyle. Had he listened, rather than throw his teddy out of his pram and move to Birmingham and carried on regardless, he would be in much better shape and a new contract would be a given.

Given his talent when fit, and that is a big when, any deal should be on a pay as you play basis. He has been a tremendous servant to the club but we cannot afford to be paying wages to a player who cannot last more than 70 minutes and even then spends a significant part of the season in the treatment room. Dunny isn't old for a footballer but his physical demise was predicted by Souness when he told Dunn to curb his lifestyle. Had he listened, rather than throw his teddy out of his pram and move to Birmingham and carried on regardless, he would be in much better shape and a new contract would be a given.Captain Dreckley

FCBurnley wrote:
Why would any manager offer a contract to an overweight unfit player who cannot play for 90 minutes. Agree with leerovers though, he is a absolute leg end.

No just p*as heads who hide in wardrobes from the Police after totalling their car, ring any bells?????

[quote][p][bold]FCBurnley[/bold] wrote:
Why would any manager offer a contract to an overweight unfit player who cannot play for 90 minutes. Agree with leerovers though, he is a absolute leg end.[/p][/quote]No just p*as heads who hide in wardrobes from the Police after totalling their car, ring any bells?????Captain Dreckley

Blackbunian wrote:
Could Dunn not be persuaded to take his coaching badges ? There could well be a role for him at the club in that area, particularly with the young players.As for the remarks by Super Clarets - They are at best very rude and unnecessary and at worst disgraceful and hurtful to a player who given the major part of his footballing life to Blackburn Rovers, yes, he has made mistakes, but since returning to Blackburn from his short stay with Birmingham, blue and white blood has flowed through his veins. I think, he could well prove to be an asset to the back room staff. One last point - Could some people be better mannered and constructive when commenting?

He's already started to take his badges. I believe his comments about not going into coaching next season were more to do with the fact that he doesn't want to be a player/coach just yet, as he feels he still has a lot to offer as a player, and should Rovers let him go he'll look elsewhere for playing opportunities. I think he deserves another season, preferably on a pay-as-you-play contract, and hopefully he'll decide to start coaching the season after.

Ignore the Dingles, their comments about Dunn are intended to wind you up. After all, if they were serious assessments of the man they'd contain at least some element of truth, wouldn't they?

[quote][p][bold]Blackbunian[/bold] wrote:
Could Dunn not be persuaded to take his coaching badges ? There could well be a role for him at the club in that area, particularly with the young players.As for the remarks by Super Clarets - They are at best very rude and unnecessary and at worst disgraceful and hurtful to a player who given the major part of his footballing life to Blackburn Rovers, yes, he has made mistakes, but since returning to Blackburn from his short stay with Birmingham, blue and white blood has flowed through his veins. I think, he could well prove to be an asset to the back room staff. One last point - Could some people be better mannered and constructive when commenting?[/p][/quote]He's already started to take his badges. I believe his comments about not going into coaching next season were more to do with the fact that he doesn't want to be a player/coach just yet, as he feels he still has a lot to offer as a player, and should Rovers let him go he'll look elsewhere for playing opportunities. I think he deserves another season, preferably on a pay-as-you-play contract, and hopefully he'll decide to start coaching the season after.
Ignore the Dingles, their comments about Dunn are intended to wind you up. After all, if they were serious assessments of the man they'd contain at least some element of truth, wouldn't they?Incest Each Sunday

Still our best player, he has real quality that you don't get very often. Direct, runs at players, creates things. Not afraid to use his left foot. Should have spent his best years playing at a bigger club with better players than our team, injuries stopped this & his England career. Shame but he's been enjoyed at ewood.

Still our best player, he has real quality that you don't get very often. Direct, runs at players, creates things. Not afraid to use his left foot. Should have spent his best years playing at a bigger club with better players than our team, injuries stopped this & his England career. Shame but he's been enjoyed at ewood.sallycinamon

I would throw money at him because what he brings to the club is more than just ability, he is a constant leader and can pinpoint a pass similar to how Nuno Gomes did. He also has the club in his heart and that is the main factor as to why the club need to keep him, he's a rare breed these days and a similar mentality to Gerard, obviously without that sort of ability. He also excites the fans, and he knows what it means to play for his club rather than the money. It could also benefit players such as Rochina having him at the club, allowing him to gain valuable experience to stop him from just shooting at everything on site.

I would throw money at him because what he brings to the club is more than just ability, he is a constant leader and can pinpoint a pass similar to how Nuno Gomes did. He also has the club in his heart and that is the main factor as to why the club need to keep him, he's a rare breed these days and a similar mentality to Gerard, obviously without that sort of ability. He also excites the fans, and he knows what it means to play for his club rather than the money. It could also benefit players such as Rochina having him at the club, allowing him to gain valuable experience to stop him from just shooting at everything on site.blazerafe

Sadly Dunn has had his day.
The word legend is used very loosely these days but there are very few who deserve the tag,Dunn is not one of them.I can count the number of Rovers legends on the fingers of one hand,players who have given the club their all or when they performed they were something very special.Sadly Dunn couldnt wait to jump ship when Brum came knocking because he wasnt going to have a footballing legend (Souness) tell him how to reach his true potential.
Dunn is past his best,if he doesnt want coaching yet then Im sure he will be welcomed by a lower league club,Accy Stanley??.
Thanks for you effort over the years Mr Dunn,it it appreciated but the time has come for Bowyer to get tough.There is no room for sentiment in football.

Sadly Dunn has had his day.
The word legend is used very loosely these days but there are very few who deserve the tag,Dunn is not one of them.I can count the number of Rovers legends on the fingers of one hand,players who have given the club their all or when they performed they were something very special.Sadly Dunn couldnt wait to jump ship when Brum came knocking because he wasnt going to have a footballing legend (Souness) tell him how to reach his true potential.
Dunn is past his best,if he doesnt want coaching yet then Im sure he will be welcomed by a lower league club,Accy Stanley??.
Thanks for you effort over the years Mr Dunn,it it appreciated but the time has come for Bowyer to get tough.There is no room for sentiment in football.D63

Super_Clarets wrote:
Dunn will offer nothing next season after a summer of binge eating safe in the knowledge that Bowyer has rewarded him with yet another contract extension. Possibly the most overrated player to dis(grace) the Championship in recent years, too unfit to manage 90 minutes, picks his games, only chooses to play when his contract is running down, sh!t out of the game at Turf Moor when his team needed him the most, and brings shame on himself by backing the clueless owners who pay his wages.

Thought I saw your name on a loaf of bread the other day then I realised it said thick cut

[quote][p][bold]Super_Clarets[/bold] wrote:
Dunn will offer nothing next season after a summer of binge eating safe in the knowledge that Bowyer has rewarded him with yet another contract extension. Possibly the most overrated player to dis(grace) the Championship in recent years, too unfit to manage 90 minutes, picks his games, only chooses to play when his contract is running down, sh!t out of the game at Turf Moor when his team needed him the most, and brings shame on himself by backing the clueless owners who pay his wages.[/p][/quote]Thought I saw your name on a loaf of bread the other day then I realised it said thick cutPeterborough rover

He really is a thick cut aswell. Strange how weluvyouvenkys disappeared overnight after posting the same rubbish, day in, day out, morning, noon and night, for 12 months plus, only to be replaced by super-clarets who now posts the same boring nonsense, day in, day out, morning, noon and night.

He really is a thick cut aswell. Strange how weluvyouvenkys disappeared overnight after posting the same rubbish, day in, day out, morning, noon and night, for 12 months plus, only to be replaced by super-clarets who now posts the same boring nonsense, day in, day out, morning, noon and night.unclejacklegend